Written Directions

From Lincoln, NH, simply take route 112 east to the town of Conway.

Scenery

About 60 miles north of Concord you will find a kick-butt route off of Interstate 93 that travels through the White Mountains. The road is officially called the Kancamagus Highway (pronounced kank-a-mah-gus) but it is more often referred to as the 'Kanc.'

This is officially known as the highest roadway in the northeast and reaches altitudes of nearly 3,000 ft above sea level. The route is probably the most famous route in all of New Hampshire and one of the most famous in the entire northeast (particularly for fall foliage tours that feature rolling mountains that appear to have blankets of patchworks of gold, orange, red, and green). The area it drives through a gorgeous streatch of mountains in New Hampshire known as the White Mountain National Forest. The path takes you over a mountain pass and and there are many pullouts that you need to take the time and STOP & ENJOY the many diverse views (rolling mountains, river beds, thick and lush woods, etc).

This route is also especially beautiful in the spring when the area's many waterfalls are at their peak of water flow as the winter snows melt, spring flower begin to appear, and the buds on the trees start to show. On this route you'll also take in some great river views because the route follows a river called the Swift.

Road Quality

The route rides over mountains and into valleys so you'll have a lot of turns and elevation changes along the way but nothing that I would consider "twisties" ... more sweeping turns. Traffic can be an issue particularly on weekends or in "leaf peeping season" so plan accordingly.

Roadside Amenities

There are 6 public campgrounds along the route. The Jigger Johnson has the most campsites (75) but the others are all fair size as well. They all include restrooms and drinking water but no electricity.

There is a New Hampshire Visitor's Center at the start of the route on 112.

The Passaconaway Historic Site is named after a great Indian leader who gathered a bunch of Indian tribes together and created a confederacy to fight with the intruding 'pale-faces' (white-men). There is a really neat house at this historical site called the Russell-Colbath Historic Homestead (they say it's the only one ever built here) where there is a legend of a husband that left home one day to go for a walk. Apparently he never returned and for 39 years his wife lit a lantern and left it on the porch to help him find his way back. He showed up 3 years later after she died. You can tour the house and here more about the legend. There is also a nice little short trail that starts out at the house and goes along a little river.

Another cool place to see is the Rocky Gorge Scenic Area. Here you'll see some waterfalls and a pretty cool looking gorge.

Keep driving up (east) on 112 and stop at the Boulder Loop Trail that starts by the covered bridge. At the end of this trail you'll see some pretty awesome looking scenery that was created by huge glaciers plowing back to the north.

By Partnerson October 11, 20153 out of 3 members found this review useful.

4.0out of 5

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The Kanc was fun. However, we started late and made the mistake of riding east to west as the sun was going down. Couldn't see the scenery or the curves to pick our lines. Do not start this ride west bound after 3 P.M

By The Brownson August 11, 20162 out of 2 members found this review useful.

5.0out of 5

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We make this trip often, because we live close by. Any time of year this route is INCREDIBLE and both ends offer great outings. Conway and North Conway on one end and Lincoln and North Woodstock on the other. It does NOT get any better than that. Brown's from Laconia,NH

By studiculouson August 10, 20142 out of 3 members found this review useful.

4.0out of 5

Motorcycle Year 2014

Motorcycle Make Triumph

Motorcycle Type Cruiser

Rode the Kanc this weekend. The views are tremendous. Plenty of pull-offs,but gravel, wathch the shoulders. Sections of pavement are a bit rough. There is a section od forewarned "gravel" road during the 3 1/2 mile 9 1/2 degree down slope. But I don't think the 3/4 inch stone should be called gravel. A nice hairpin turn before you ge to Lincoln, NH. Once I reached Lincoln took the ride south to Weirs Beach and Laconia via Rte 175. Nice ride south, little traffic.

By Partnerson September 26, 20131 out of 1 members found this review useful.

4.0out of 5

Motorcycle Year 2003

Motorcycle Make Honda VFR800

Motorcycle Type Sport-Touring

As has been said, the scenery is amazing. RT112, The Kanc, is smooth and full of sweeping turns. WIth the exception of one hairpin ... one would have to ride very fast to make the turns spirited. Still it is worth the ride.

By Partnerson August 8, 20121 out of 1 members found this review useful.

4.0out of 5

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I highly recommend Rt 112 as I have been riding it for annually for several years. IT has sweeping turns and fantastic scenery. Near the eastern edge of Rt 112, there is a great little road called Bear's Notch. It may be the best road of them all.

By Partnerson August 22, 20101 out of 1 members found this review useful.

4.0out of 5

Motorcycle Year 2002

Motorcycle Make BMW

Motorcycle Type Touring

I went to college in NH 30 years ago, and hiked most of the peaks in the White Mountains. Went back this summer for reunion and couldn't resist a day touring the Whites on my bike, which I'd ridden up from Baltimore. Riding the Kanc was certainly a highlight of that day. The only thing that makes me rate it a bit lower than the route and view would warrant is the misfortune of getting stuck behind cagers towing trailers. Pulled off at a couple of overlooks to get out from behind and saved the day. Pretty hard to go wrong on any of the routes up there, but certainly the Kanc is not to be missed. Enjoy.

By NeilHon October 17, 20160 out of 0 members found this review useful.

5.0out of 5

Motorcycle Year 2016

Motorcycle Make Harley Davidson Ultra Limited

Motorcycle Type Touring

We rode The Kanc towards the end of September and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. We were riding West to East and the sun was quite low in the sky behind us. I'm sure the ride and colours would have been better earlier in the day. The pavement was a bit rough in places but in others it was superb. Overall very enjoyable and we'll be back to ride again. I'll try and attach a GoPro video.